Rotatable handle bar for exercise apparatus with adjustable rotational resistance control

ABSTRACT

A stationary cycle type exercising device having attached to the support for the handle bars an adjustable friction type clamping device that offers a frictional resistance to the manual rotation of the handle bars during an exercise program. The handle bars have a straight intermediate portion received in the clamping device and a pair of hand grips which are offset from, and parallel to, the intermediate portion. The axes of the hand grips are coextensive.

TJni/efl Stafies Patent [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1894 Lavens.....

(72] lnventor Howard A. Morgan Glenview, 111. Appl. No. 841,380

24/249 LS 272/79 R 527,864 3,224,765 12/1965 Baker et FQREIGN PATENTS 4/1967 GreatBritain................

Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant ExaminerWi1liam R. Browne [22] Filed July 14,1969

[45] Patented Aug. 24, 1971 [73] Assignee Sears, Roebuck and Co.

Chicago, Ill.

[54] ROTATABLE HANDLE BAR FOR EXERCISE Attorneys Frank H. Marks and Nathan N. Kraus APPARATUS WITH ADJUSTABLE ROTATIONAL RESISTANCE CONTROL 3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

ABSTRACT: A stationary cycle type exercising device having PATENTEU M1824 l9? H M 2 VENTOP 53 owaig wan [M WAQZIZ'W ROTATABLE HANDLE BAR FOR EXERCISE APPARATUS WITH ADJUSTABLE ROTATIONAL RESISTANCE CONTROL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a rotatable handle bar for an exercise apparatus with means for varying the resistance to rotation of the handle bar.

Stationary exercise cycle apparatus now in wide use generally include means for adjustably varying the tension on the wheel driven by the pedals to vary the pedal effort of the operator. In such apparatus, the handle bar, generally, is fixed in relation to the frame, as in conventional bicycles, so that the operator derives no direct beneficial effect from that part of the apparatus.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention I provide, in an apparatus of the type described, a handle bar which is mounted for rotation about an axis parallel to the rotational axis of the pedals, including means for adjustablyyarying the resistance to rotation of said handle bar so as to provide, in a single apparatus, additional means for exercising the body concurrently with the pedal effort expended by the operator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of acycle type exercise apparatus supporting an operatonshown in broken lines, with DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, the numeral indicates, generally, a cycle type exercise apparatus of conventional construction, shown in broken lines. The frame of the apparatus includes a tubular portion 11 above the front fork which provides a socket for receiving the bent stem 12 of the handle bar assembly, indicated generally by the numeral 13. Welded to the end of the forwardly directed portion 14 of the stem 12 is a member 16, preferably formed of sheet metal and having an intermediate arcuate portion 17 and integral front and rear flanges 18 and 19, respectively. The front flange 18 is provided with a square opening 21 to accommodate a correspondingly shaped shank portion of a bolt 22 to prevent rotation of the same. The rear flange 19 is provided with a pair of spaced slots 24. Referring to FIG. 4, it will be seen that the rear flange 19 is not coplanar with the front flange 18, but rather is an angular relation thereto.

A cooperating member 26, similarly formed of sheet metal, includes an intermediate arcuate portion 27 having an integral front flange 28 and a pair of integral spaced tongues 29, the latter being adapted to be received in the slots 24 so as to effect a hinged relationship between the members 16 and 26. The front flange 28 is provided with an aperture 30 through which the bolt 22 is passed. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be noted that the flanges l8 and 28 normally are disposed in spaced angular relation so that they may be moved relative to each other, as will be hereinafter explained.

The bolt 22 carries a knob 31 which is provided with peripheral flutes to afford an improved gripping surface for hand engagement.

Referring to FIG. 3, the knob 31 has a threaded nut 32 welded to the underside of the top wall, the nut being in threaded engagement with the bolt 22. The nut 32 abuts one end of asleeve 34 which is circumposed about the bolt 22, the lower end of the sleeve abutting against a washer 36 lying on the flange 28. A cap nut 37 on the end of the bolt 22 limits the outward axial movement of the knob 31 and prevents separation of the parts.

Disposed between the arcuate sections 17 and 27 of the members 16 and 26 are a pair of arcuate friction elements 37 and 38, each having a length substantially coextensive with the arcuate portions 17 and 27 and embracing the transverse portion 39 of the handle bar 40. A washer 41 of plastic or any other suitable material is disposed adjacent each end of the members 16 and 26. Each of the washers is secured against axial movement on the transverse portion 39 of the handle bar by a pin 42 passed through said portion. These washers serve to retain the friction elements 37 and 38 against longitudinal v movement within the arcuate portions 17 and 27.

The handle bar 40 includes the intermediate transverse portion 39 and a pair of hand grip portions 44 and connecting portions 46. The hand grip portions 44 are coaxially arranged and are offset from and substantially parallel to the transverse portion 39. A suitable hand grip sleeve 47 is rotatably carried on each hand grip portion 44 and is secured against displacement by a headed bolt 48 screwed into the end of the grip portion.

It will be seen that the handle bar 40 is journaled in the friction members 37 and 38 and may be rotated freely in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1, about the axis of the transverse portion 39 when the members 16 and 26 are in loose relationship. The resistance to rotation of the handle bar 40 is adjusted by rotation of the knob 31 to vary the braking effect of the friction members 37 and 38 on the transverse portion 39 of the handle bar. It will be understood that the handle bar 40 also may be clamped against rotation, in any desirable position, to suit the operator, merely by tightening the knob 31,

Various changes coming within the spirit of my invention may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art; hence, I do not wish to be limited to the specific embodiment shown and described or uses mentioned, but intend the same to be merely exemplary, the scope of my invention being limited only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a stationary exercise cycle apparatus having a frame and pedals, a handle bar having a transverse intermediate portion and a pair of hand grips offset from said intermediate portion, the hand grips being substantially coaxially disposed and parallel to said intermediate portion, means carried on said frame for supporting said handle bar for manually rotation about an axis parallel to the rotational axis of the pedals, said means including a pair of hinged members embracing said intermediate portion, and screw means engageable with said hinged members for varying the frictional resistance to manual rotation of said handle bar during an exercise program, a pair of frictional elements interposed between the hinged members and the intermediate portion of said handle bar, said frictional elements being arcuate, said frictional elements being forced into engagement with the intermediate portion of the handle bar by said hinged members.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which one of said hinged members is fixed on said frame and has a slot and the other of said hinged members has a tongue received in said slot to effect a hinged connection therebetween.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which each of the hinged members includes an arcuate portion and a flange with said arcuate portion embracing said intermediate portion and said screw means passing through said flanges. 

1. In combination, a stationary exercise cycle apparatus having a frame and pedals, a handle bar having a transverse intermediate portion and a pair of hand grips offset from said intermediate portion, the hand grips being substantially coaxially disposed and parallel to said intermediate portion, means carried on said frame for supporting said handle bar for manually rotation about an axis parallel to the rotational axis of the pedals, said means including a pair of hinged members embracing said intermediate portion, and screw means engageable with said hinged members for varying the frictional resistance to manual rotation of said handle bar during an exercise program, a pair of frictional elements interposed between the hinged members and the intermediate portion of said handle bar, said frictional elements being arcuate, said frictional elements being forced into engagement with the intermediate portion of the handle bar by said hinged members.
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which one of said hinged members is fixed on said frame and has a slot and the other of said hingEd members has a tongue received in said slot to effect a hinged connection therebetween.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which each of the hinged members includes an arcuate portion and a flange with said arcuate portion embracing said intermediate portion and said screw means passing through said flanges. 